Change of Command – Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division

The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) held a Change of Command ceremony on Nov. 1, 2013, Capt. Phillip Dawson III, USN relieved Capt. Scott Pratt, USN as NSWC PCD’s 30th Commanding Offi cer.

Capt Scott Pratt’s next assignment will be serving at the Program Executive Offi ce Littoral Combat Ships (PEO LCS) in Washington DC.

Capt. Dawson reports to NSWC PCD after serving most recently at U.S. Fleet Forces Command as the Surface Ship Maintenance Director where he oversaw surface maintenance and modernization. Capt. Dawson is a native of Robertsdale, Alabama, and a 1984 graduate of McGill-Toolen High School in Mobile, Alabama. Dawson received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy in 1988. He earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif., in 1995. Commissioned via the United States Naval Academy, Dawson reported to his fi rst ship, USS Tattnall (DDG 19), in 1989 where he served as the anti-submarine warfare offi cer. He then reported to the USS Harry E. Yarnell (CG 17) in 1991 and served as the fi re control offi cer and later the battery control offi cer.

Special guest keynote speaker Rear Adm. LawrenceCreevy, USN, Commander, Naval Sur- face Warfare Center. Creevy assumed command of the Naval Surface Warfare Centers (NSWC) in November 2012.